Prayers of Faith

In Chiquimula I met Marabeth. She is one of the women that Karen lodges with. 2 weeks ago she went to the doctors because she had a bloated stomach, which she thought was wind or something simple. It turned out to be a tumour on one of her ovaries. She was told this on the Thursday, and after a weekend of everyone praying for her she was operated on on Monday. They removed a 20lb tumour and the ovary. Amazingly the tumour had not attached itself or damaged any other organ at all. She's now recovering at home.
One evening when we were visiting her, she received a phone call from a woman who was sort of connected to their church. She explained that her daughter had been to the doctor that day and was told that she had cists in her breasts and needed further tests. Immediately some of us went to her house, and prayed and laid hands on her asking God to heal her. After we had prayed, the daughter, who wasn't a Christian, said that she knew that God would heal her. It struck me how quick they responded to somebody else's need and wanted to demonstrate God's care and power. What also struck me was that here in Guatemala, there is a very high level of faith and receptivity, amongst those who aren't Christians. Many people who aren't Christians still recognise God's power in their lives -often healing illnesses- when those in Britain would explain it away with other 'logical' explanations. God is at work - if we only want to see it.

Fish Food

I've just got back from Chiquimula - which is in the East of Guatemala, about 4 hours away from where I live. I was visiting one of the Striders who is working the student movement there. I stayed with her with the host family that she's with. There, most houses have an open water tank - from which they scoop out water to wash the dishes and sometimes clothes. In their house the tank was about twice the size of a normal bath, and they actually keep fish in it! This seems to be normal in Chiquimula. The reason is that the mosquitos lay their eggs in standing water - but the fish eat the eggs so it helps to keep the mosquitos under control. (In the meantime, they continue to use the water to wash up with.) It seemed to work - I didn't see any mosquitos - but unfortunately it wasn't quite so effective with all the other biting insects which dined on my legs!!!!

Second Earthquake!

Last night we had an earth tremor here -This one was bigger- it lasted about 40secs and registered 5.8 on the Reichter Scale. I'm told that that's quite strong for here, but there were no injuries reported. It was a very strange feeling, - to start with I thought it was a very large truck rumling past (the main highway is close to my house) but as it continued I realised what it was, and stood under the lintel of a doorway - which is safest. Apparently what I also should have done was open the front door - if a tremor is very strong, the shaking can make a door get stuck in its doorway and then you're locked in!. But thankfully my door was fine.

Mayan Wedding

Today I spent the afternoon in San Antonio Aguas Caliente, where we were shown their traditional dress and they explained the wedding traditions to us. We got dressed up too - and I was playing the part of the mother in law! When a girl reaches the age of 14 she starts to weave a 'manta' (a decorative weaving) - ready for when she gets married - as this is her gift to her new mother in law. When a couple gets engaged, the grooms mother then starts to weave and makes the traditional wedding gift for the bride - an apron!!!! (it gets better -) When the wedding ceremony and the dancing has finished, the groom's mother takes the bride to the house and shows her the kitchen. The bride then has to make the tortillas and ground the coffee in her kitchen- before starting a honeymoon!

After the wedding, the man's mother then starts work on weaving a 'cargador' (a large piece of material for carrying babies in) which is then given to the wife - no pressure then!!

Patzun meeting

Today we had a conference in Patzun for all those involved in the Stride placements. It was great to meet everyone and I managed to give my presentation about Latin Link in Spanish and everyone understood - which was a relief. We also enjoyed a Guatemalan lunch (with British pudding!). The photo is of Naomi - the strider who is working as a nurse in Patzun. Here she is with her host family- all in traditional dress from Patzun.

My first earthquake!

So yesterday morning, instead of waking up to the sound of my alarm clock at 6.30am - I was shaken awake at about 6.10am. In my state of being half asleep and half awake - I thought to myself that this must be a tremor, - and then carried on sleeping until the alarm! It obviously wasn't very strong, but enough for me to hear things moving in my room. Apparently these are a fairly regular occurance here and most of the houses are built to withstand them. Cristina, my spanish teacher, said that she thought there would be a tremor because she'd seen the signs the evening before - certain cloud formations and animals acting strangely (the dogs howling for example). Maybe I should learn to read the signs, before a serious one comes along!